The flames flickered through the starlight that seemed to stream down like a cascading waterfall. It was beutiful. Max knew he was probably dieing, but there wasn't anything he could, or really wanted to do about it. Not until the flames started talking to him.

"Well, that was certainly dramatic." Max looked through glassy eyes at the fire that was consuming his big rig. A womans face was visible in the flames. "Dramatic, and effective. Though, the self destructive part there at the end? That was not a postative mark in your favor." He tried to speak, but it came out as a croak. His throat was dry, the heat from the flames beat at him, even as the cold gritty earth under him seaped the heat from his bones. "I suspect that you can't awnser verbally. Just think and I will know what you wish me to know. I can still do that at least."

Who the hell are you? Max thought as loudly as he could. The image of the woman smirked before responding.

"I am Alaria, godess of fire, justice, and the citilization of the Ka'tha'rin. Or, I was. Before my children were sunk under the sea by those who now hunt me. Now? I am merely an aspect of vengence. As you tonight have become."

What do you want? Max asked. This time trying to think the words forcefully, but without malice. A demand, instead of a shout.

"I want you. Vengeful one. That will require expalnation but for now, think of this as a bit of a job interview. I am looking for a representative. Someone who will follow me through the worlds of the compact. Someone to do my biding, and help me stamp out the evils that run rampid on so many worlds. Tell me, do you want to bring vengence, and justice, to others like the men you have slain tonight? Like the men who rapped, beat, and then murdered your wife?"

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The mere thought of the men he had just killed casued his eyes to burn with hatred. Max sat bolt upright fully awake now despite his clear concusion, and the blood loss from his leg. He found his right jean leg soaked in his own blood. Guess I shouldn't have pulled that knife out, he thought.

"That is one of the many things you will learn. One of the many things I will teach you. Combat is the easy part, you can learn that in less then a life time. What can not be taught is the willingness to act and bring vengence to those who have comitted the oldest sins, while knowing the need for clear thinking and just action. You, seed of vengence, are a rareity. I can not tell you how many incoherent vengenful spirits I run into. If not them, then those with no stomach for the work, who simply stew in the need for it. But you? You have proven yourself." As she spoke the adranaline and rage began to ebb as the blood loss took its toll. Max laid back down, and his chest began to ache from the cold.

I, I am having trouble thinking.

"Oh, right." Max watched the flames through slowly blinking eyes as the face morphed into the form of a fully grown, and rather beutiful woman. She had red hair, but her skin was dusky. Her eyes shone with light, one emerald green and one sky blue. She wore loose fitting clothing, a long ankle length skirt that had been fashionable back in the 50's, and a simple flower covered blouse of white and yellow. She walked up to him and kneeled placing a hand on his chest. "All you must do is accept my offer. I can let you drift off and allow your soul to be with her. It is your choice. Or, you can join me, delay your reunion with her in the halls of this worlds dieties and we will punish more like those men you killed tonight. We are too weak yet to prevent such evils, but together? We can punish those who have comitted them."

As Max drifted in and out of conciousness he had one clear moment of thought. He weighed the options, and ultimatly he asked himself one simple question. What would she want me to do? Knowing the awnser, and being torn between his two desires, Max made his decision. I'll join you.

She stood, beamed a smile as bright as the sun and as broad as the world and clapped her hands together in delight. "Perfect! Welcome, Maxwell. My new Avatar!"